Los Angeles Unified schools are in a funk - some libraries may have their hours slashed while other libraries will be shut down altogether, leaving school children with fewer places to turn to for help with their homework.

These will be some of the sobering facts that Emerson Middle School children will be learning about at this afternoon's "Save the Libaries" protest.

To bring attention to their plight, students, parents, the PTA, LAUSD Board member Steve Zimmer and others will be on hand for

a "read in," a spelling bee and "Dewey Decimal" scavenger hunt. They also will be reviewing the history of civil disobedience during a "flashlight vigil."